Florida receives largest portion of federal aid for redeveloping abandoned and foreclosed homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 29, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced more than $541 million in federal foreclosure aid is coming to Florida. The money will be distributed through the state to cities and counties throughout Florida for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. more »

ORLANDO, FL - September 25, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — For the second month in a row, several of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased sales of both existing single-family homes and existing condos in August 2008, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).

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JENSEN BEACH, FL  - September 19, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — A Florida mortgage broker and her husband, a pastor and popular radio show host, are facing numerous felony charges stemming from a state investigation that found the couple allegedly scammed consumers in a real estate investment scheme.  more »

Brown-Waite Bill Included as Part of Broader Veteran Benefit Measure

Washington, D.C. - September 16 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) today announced that H.R. 6832, the Veterans’ Construction and Extensions Act, passed the House late last week on a bipartisan voice vote.  In addition to other veteran related issues, H.R. 6832 included Rep. Brown-Waite’s legislation to extend two separate veteran mortgage benefits, keeping these innovative products from expiring, saving veteran homeowners money, and providing stability to a volatile mortgage industry. more »

WASHINGTON - September 12, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced the Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Veterans facility in Lake City will receive more than $2 million dollars for renovations. Senator Martinez was notified today by the Department of Veterans Affairs that the facility’s grant application has been approved with an award amount of $2,042,857. The grant funds will go toward the second renovation phase of the domiciliary home. more »

“The recent takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac goes against everything I stand for as a conservative… It is nothing less than the nationalization of the mortgage industry.” – Congressman Connie Mack

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 10, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) today denounced the U.S. Treasury Department’s takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. more »

ORLANDO, FL - September 9, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Realtor, the Business Magazine of Florida Real Estate and monthly trade publication of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), recently won 10 awards in the 2008 Florida Magazine Association’s (FMA) Charlie Awards competition. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 5, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today warned Floridians seeking foreclosure prevention assistance to be careful who they call for help. So-called copycat groups have set up toll-free telephone numbers that are nearly identical to the foreclosure assistance hotline established by the nonprofit Homeowners Preservation Foundation in alliance with the HOPE NOW coalition. Unlike the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, the copycat groups charge for their services and may steer people to unscrupulous lenders. more »

Fort Myers, FL - September 1, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — The Lee Building Industry Association (Lee BIA) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded seven Association Excellence Awards! more »

TALLAHASSEE, FL - August 21, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Pensacola caregiver has pleaded guilty to one felony count of abusing a disabled adult. Kimberly Pleasant will be sentenced to one year of house arrest and 18 months of probation at the completion of that sentence. more »

ORLANDO, FL - August - 25, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Single-family existing home sales rose in Florida for the first time in more than two years: While only six more homes sold in July 2008 than in July 2007, it could indicate stabilization in Florida’s housing sector, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). more »

TAVARES, FL - August 18, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — The Lake County Green Team, a group of County employees tasked with bringing County government and the community to the forefront of conservation awareness and practices, is seeking sponsors and exhibitors for its first-ever Lake County Green Fair on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wooton Park, located at 200 S. Rockingham Ave. in Tavares. more »

TALLAHASSEE, FL - August 18, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that six South Florida individuals have pleaded guilty to their roles in a criminal mortgage fraud operation that defrauded several financial institutions out of more than $17 million. more »

ORLANDO, FL - August 15, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — During the second quarter of 2008, Florida Realtors® continued to report positive signs for the state’s housing sector, such as an increase in pending home sales (based on contracts signed but not closed) and a slower rate of expansion of inventory levels in some areas. more »

Tallahassee, FL - August 12, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — In response to the need to increase the preservation of existing affordable housing stock, Florida Housing has created the Preservation Rehabilitation Pilot Program. more »